VIDEOS

I updated some videos on Dropshots today. Just look on the right side of the blog. You will have to scroll down some but it should say My Videos and then have a link under it. One of them is of Spencer walking with a push toy. I am just amazed by this childs progress. He is like a big kid stuck in a baby body. He got the toy in the mail today from John's sister Cynthia and her husband. I put it together and he pulled up on it and off he went.
I have a lot of videos and pictures to post but this is at least a start. I will also give you my favorite picture for now. By the way, Spencer was 9 months on the 26th of December.

The Christmas videos should be on there too, of the kids coming upstairs to see what Santa brought them. Then one of them using there new gifts(BIKES). They really enjoyed Christmas this year and it has been a lot of fun watching them really start grasping the reality of what Christmas really is. They kept telling people that it was baby Jesus' birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNABELLE!

Our baby-girl is 4! Happy Birthday Annabelle. We love you so very much. You have grown up so much this year and it has been a blast. We love listening to your singing and watching you dance. You are very eager to please and you take the time to make everyone in this house feel LOVED every day. You wake up happy and make sure to say good morning to everyone. I am positive that not a day goes by that you tell mommy, "Mommy, you are the bestest mommy eber!", "You are the bestest mommy in da whole worwld", or "Mommy you are so beautiful".
You make sure to give your big brother a hug and kiss every morning when he is standing in line before he goes into school and the same for Spence before you go into your class. It almost makes mommy cry each time. Now for your daddy. Well, he gets the huge DDAAAADDDDDYYYYY, everytime he comes in the door. Oh yes, and all day long you say to me, "Mommy I miss daddy". What a lucky man he is. I love your big heart.
You are also my independent child who enjoys to play by yourself sometimes. I love that you can do this. You are never really afraid to try new things or meet new people. There are no worries of you getting pushed around either. You sure no how to hold your ground. Stay tough baby girl.
I must say a big THANK YOU to God for another wonderful year with you, Annabelle. You are such a blessing.
You even became a big sister and you are a great one. You are the only one who can get Spencer to stop crying and it is with your beautiful singing. This is what you sing to him. WEST VIRGINIA, WITH MY MOMMAAA, TAKE ME HOOOOME, TO MY COUNTRY ROAD(your version)it is so cute.

SPENCER BARON UPDATE

I just want to give a quick Spencer update. I realize how terrible I have been about updating and will try to get caught up as soon as possible. But for now, here is a Spencer Baron update.

Spencer is a very busy baby. He is 8 months old and is all over the place. At 6 months he was doing a really cute crawl we called the inchworm b/c he would lift his bottom up and then crawl like an inchworm. Well, 7 months came along and the boy got moving. Now that we have hit 8 months he is pulling up on everything in his path and even went from a case of coke to the refrigerator Saturday night. He acts like he is trying to go from a crawl to standing. I am not really thrilled about this childs lack of caution. He is a DAREDEVIL to say the least. Opens cabinets and drawers, pulls up pieces of our wood floor and tries to eat them. I must say I love watching him explore! He is just to cute.

Speaking of eating, he is a great eater. He weighs 18 lbs. now. We have been trying to muscle through a Horrible case of mastitis due to the fact that he now sucks to hard. I am having to pump around the clock to feed him because he just makes me bleed if I nurse. This could be a long 4 months if I have to pump around the clock the whole time but he is worth it. I have never seen an eight month old eat like this kid.

Oh, he has been getting his first tooth for a few weeks now. Must have mommys thick gums. He finally got the slit in the gum last week and the tooth still isn't through. Although the teething made him a little fussy, he is still a very happy baby. He is sweet and snuggly with mommy. He smiles and laughs at everything his brother and sister do. He really LOVES his big bub and sis. But, most of all he LOVES HIS DADDY. Total Daddy's boy. He won't let John out of his sight when he is home. And yes, John eats it up.

I must go to bed now because our princess is turning 4 tomorrow. I will post pictures of her birthday as soon as I get a chance.

Halloween

We had a wonderful Halloween. The Bailey crew came up on Thursday and stayed with us until Sunday. We went to a few Halloween parties, did some Trick or Treating and just lots of good hang out time. Jen and I even got to do a little shopping while the guys carved jack o lanterns with the kids. All of the kids were so happy to see each other. It is amazing how we can have an apartment with 7 children and 4 adults and it not be pure chaos. Much of that owed to sweet Jen for all of her help. If anyone is looking for a houseguest she is the one to have. Some how during her stay, my laundry hampers became almost empty.

Also, as you will see in the first couple of pics, the dads went out to a party after trick or treating and they had to dress up. John was Superman(you know I had to buy it, the kids were all Superheros also). It was absolutely hilarious.

Thank you Baileys for a wonderful long weekend.

Annabelle's Field Trip

Annabelle had a field trip today to the local Domane to see the animals and pick apples. I told her I would go with her but unfortunately her baby brother is sick and the only appt. I could get him was during the same time as the field trip. I was so sad, she had an apple dress and I had already shown her my apple picking shirt. But, when I told her she of course said that it was okay. But, in the next breath she was asking if daddy could go with her. Well, DADDY AGREED! She was so excited. Here are some pictures from there adventure. Oh, and one of Spencer using the nebulizer. So sad, but they said it is just the croup virus. He is okay. A few more days on the machine and the doc also said a lot of time outside in the cold and he should be fine.

MY BABY STARTED KINDERGARTEN!!

Today was the big day. The day after Labor Day 2009, Austin started Kindergarten. He picked out his own outfit and woke up very happy. I asked him the day before what he wanted me to make him for lunch. He is so funny, he said he wanted lunchmeat rolled up and carrots w/ ranch. So, that is what he got, with a few extra items.
The whole family walked him to school. We got some pictures and he got right into line with his class. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM! I just know he will have a great time. He has a wonderful teacher, and I know he will have a great year.
By the way, mommy didn't shed a tear. I was to excited for him to cry. I don't think it will sink in until I realize what a loooooong day it is. Here are some photos:

AUSTIN'S ACCIDENT

For those who don't know, Austin had a bad bike accident on Monday and knocked one front tooth out and the other was hanging. It was a very, very scary event for all involved. He was racing bikes with a friend and they ran into each other. Austin fell off his bike and apparently right to his two front teeth. When we got to him he was holding his front tooth in his hand(long root and all). Luckily my wonderful friend Cheri(who used to be a nurse) was outside with us and she saved the day. She was also a bit taken back but kept her cool and held Austin, calmed me down and even went to the ER with me until John got there. My other dear friend, Kathrin, came downstairs with her almost 7 month pregnant self and watched her 1 yr. old and 4 yr. old, my 3 yr. old and Cheri's 8, 5, and 1 year old children. THANK YOU SO MUCH GIRLS!!! These are the days that I remind myself that we are indeed BLESSED to be living in ARMY stairwell housing. We should always remember what a blessing it is that we have each other especially in times of emergency.
Anyways, here are the photos. In order of course.

HERE IS MY SWEET BOY A WEEK AGO THURSDAY:

HERE IS THE TOOTH HE HANDED TO CHERI AS SHE PICKED HIM UP OFF THE GROUND:

HERE HE IS AFTER WE GOT HOME FROM THE ER:

THIS IS HIM THE NEXT DAY AFTER HE HAD THE SECOND TOOTH PULLED(THE WHITE IN HIS MOUTH IS THE GAUZE):

FINALLY, HERE HE IS A FEW DAYS LATER WITH HIS SWEET SISTER ANNABELLE:


Yes, you saw and read correctly. I had to take him to the dentist the next day to have the second tooth pulled. I sat outside the room and just sobbed. Meanwhile, my BRAVE 5 yr. old son sat in the big chair and got shots for numbing right in his already very hurt mouth and had his tooth yanked out. Oh, did I mention he did this without a single tear. That sweet little boy of mine was so calm and brave and if you haven't noticed, HIS MOMMY IS VERY PROUD OF HIM AND LOVES HIM VERY MUCH!!!!!

4 months

Spencer was 4 months on the 26th. I took him for his check up and everything was great. He was 14 lbs. and 10 oz. I think 25 inches long. He is still a very happy, content and extremely lovable baby. He is belly laughing now and we are loving it. He loves being in his exersaucer/jumper and being entertained by his siblings. Doesn't get enough floor time between his siblings and the dog running around but when he does he loves it. As far as sleep. Well, lets just say it isn't as important to him these days. My nights of 6 to 10 hour stretches are over. It is more like every 2 hours lately. Not to cute if you ask me. But, I still just smile and snuggle him and know with baby #3 to savor every moment. These children are growing up to quickly.
Here is Spencer trying some rice cereal. He likes it but has been using his new skill of blowing bubbles while eating it. He still hasn't mastered the part of actually swallowing the food.

The next 2 photos are of poor Spencer being used as if he were a doll in Annabelle's double doll stroller.


THIS IS MY FAVORITE 4 MONTH PHOTO. HE IS SO STINKIN' ADORABLE!!

Austin's Hair and Pizza night

Austin got his haircut yesterday and I must write about it because we have lived here a year and half and this is probably only the second time we have gotten it right. He made me put it in a mohawk last night. We made our own pizzas for dinner last night and it was a lot of fun! John and I attempted to make a chicken, spinach, red onion pizza with pesto sauce. It turned out great.
Annabelle wants and needs a haircut too. We tried yesterday but they had no appointments. I will post those photos when it finally happens.
Please check out the photos:
This is the new cut and his pizza he made last night in the shape of a heart.

Here is his mohawk. I LOVE IT!!

Spencer and his new best friend dispite my efforts to give him the pacifier.

Belle made her own pizza and she wanted it to be a circle. She did a great job!!

Happy 4th of July!

The Bart Family had a blast this 4th of July. We enjoyed a nice picnic(thanks to our good friend Jill) with our friends from our neighborhood from around 12:30 to 4:30. I ordered a pool online and the kids were all playing in it and we had some bubbles and games. It was nice spending this special day with friends. Jill also made all of us a delicious and beautiful dessert. It was an ice cream cone with raspberry sorbet, vanilla ice cream and a blueberry on top. Red, White and Blue. It was adorable and oh so yummy. The weather was beautiful and the ice cream cooled us down. Spencer even got a picture in his 4th of July outfit with his girlfriend. I will have to get the picture from her parents and add it later. Thank you everyone(you know who you are) we had so much fun and the kids did too. It is so nice to have that many children together for hours without any bickering. jWe are truly blessed.
At 5 we left the house and headed to post for a big Independence Day celebration. We are so thankful for the hardwork that the post did to make this day special for us. They had horse rides, a carousel, a ferris wheel, dunking booth(Austin's favorite), bouncy houses and many other fun things for the children. They also were giving a free meal to everyone there and lots of entertainment. They finished the night with a beautiful display of fireworks. I was hoping the kids would do well during the fireworks but worried especially about it being to loud for Spencer. He actually watched for a few minutes, then nursed and FELL ASLEEP! He only cried when it was over and everyone started clapping. Such a sweet baby. The older two just LOVED everything about the day.

Here are the pictures:

Daddy w/ Annabelle trying to stay awake at the end of the fireworks

The kids and I watching the fireworks

Not sure! Maybe Power Ranger moves

John's idea of romance these days. This is as good as it gets(me, changing a diaper in front of a beautiful sunset). Sexy, huh?!

The 3 musketeers in there matching 4th of July outfits.





Austin insisted on riding this ENORMOUS horse. SCARY!! He loved it so much he kept going back to the same one.

Other Posts

I have added two posts to the blog this morning so please check them out. Sorry I have taken so long to update. We are really enjoying our summer. Great family time!! Miss everyone back home and hope to see all of you soon!

FESTIVALS, FESTIVALS AND MORE FESTIVALS

The festivals have begun! This is one of the things I love the most about Germany. They have a lot of fun festivals really close to us in the summer. We have been to festivals the last three weekends in a row. They have a great variety of booths selling things, LOTS OF BEER TENTS, wonderful food and games and rides. The best part for me is the people watching. I am a people watcher at heart. I love to see the way people interact with each other and just there reactions to the surroundings.
I must say, we are really a site for the locals eyes. We get all kinds of stares now that we are a family of 5. Germans typically only have 2 children. For example, we had the older two children in our stroller that is a stroller with an added seat underneath and then I was carrying Spencer in a wrap on my chest. This older woman stopped and grabbed her husband and friend and pointed to us and made the number 3 with her fingers. This is just one example of what we see everytime we go out as a family. It is quite funny.
Here are some pictures from our Wiesbaden Festival 3 weekends ago. Please excuse my "fat face" picture. I was tempted to delete it but it is a good picture of the fest in the background and of Spence all wrapped up.



Here are the pictures from the Mainz Festival.